英國接收首艘超大型無人潛航載具「神劍號」　水下MUM-T正式啟動

英國皇家海軍已正式接收首艘超大型無人水下載具（XLUUV）「神劍號」（XV Excalibur），並啟動一系列進階測試作業，評估其戰備成熟度，以及與現役有人潛艦進行「有人／無人組合」（MUM-T）作戰的可行性。
The Royal Navy has officially taken delivery of its first extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV), XV Excalibur, and has begun advanced testing to assess its operational readiness and its ability to operate alongside manned submarines under a manned–unmanned teaming (MUM-T) concept.

根據規劃，「神劍號」將在未來數年內進行密集測試與評估，作為英國建構無人水下作戰能力的重要基石，並為後續無人潛航系統的發展方向提供關鍵實證依據。
According to current plans, XV Excalibur will undergo intensive testing over the coming years, serving as a foundational platform for the United Kingdom’s uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities and providing critical data to inform future system development.

進階測試至2027年　驗證與核潛艦協同作業能力

Advanced Trials Through 2027 to Validate Submarine Teaming Operations

英國國防部潛艦交付局（SDA）於去年12月中旬完成「神劍號」移交程序，隨後交由皇家海軍接裝。依計畫，該型載具將測試至2027年底，重點包括與「機敏級」攻擊潛艦協同作業、任務分工與指管流程整合等關鍵項目。
The UK Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) formally transferred XV Excalibur to the Royal Navy in mid-December last year. Testing is scheduled to continue through the end of 2027, focusing on cooperation with Astute-class submarines, mission allocation, and command-and-control integration.

相關測試成果，將用於建立未來XLUUV的操作教範、維保流程與戰術運用模式，同時作為是否採購後續同級或改良型無人潛航系統的重要決策依據。
Results from these trials will be used to develop operational doctrine, maintenance procedures, and tactical employment concepts, while also informing future procurement decisions for additional or follow-on XLUUV platforms.

大型酬載與高度自主　鎖定北大西洋水下監控任務

Large Payload Capacity and Autonomy Target North Atlantic Surveillance

「神劍號」全長約12公尺、直徑約2.2公尺，排水量約19噸，是英軍歷來規模最大的無人水下載具。該平台具備高度自主運作能力與可觀酬載空間，現階段續航力約5天，後續可透過增加電池模組進一步延長任務時間。
XV Excalibur measures approximately 12 meters in length, 2.2 meters in diameter, and displaces around 19 tonnes, making it the largest uncrewed underwater vehicle ever operated by the UK. It features high levels of autonomy and significant payload capacity, with an initial endurance of around five days, extendable through additional battery modules.

除延長滯留時間外，其酬載空間亦可整合反潛感測器、情監偵設備等任務模組，未來有望納入英國「大西洋堡壘」（Atlantic Bastion）構想，執行北大西洋水下態勢監控與關鍵海域偵蒐任務。
Beyond increased endurance, the payload bay can accommodate anti-submarine warfare sensors and ISR equipment. The platform is expected to support the UK’s Atlantic Bastion concept by conducting undersea surveillance and monitoring activity across the North Atlantic.

「鯨魚座計畫」成果　測試表現超出原始設計預期

Project Cetus Delivers Results Beyond Original Design Expectations

「神劍號」源自英國皇家海軍於2022年啟動的「鯨魚座計畫」（Project Cetus），該計畫由英國MSubs公司承攬，合約金額約1540萬英鎊，專責打造原型XLUUV進行概念驗證與實測。
XV Excalibur originates from the Royal Navy’s Project Cetus, launched in 2022 and awarded to UK-based MSubs under a contract valued at approximately £15.4 million to design and build a prototype XLUUV.

該艇於去年2月下水後，即展開多項系統驗證作業，包括測試其搭載的Tiqker量子光學原子鐘，以確保在無衛星訊號環境下仍具備精準水下導航能力。
Following its launch in February last year, the vehicle entered extensive trials, including validation of its Tiqker quantum optical atomic clock, designed to ensure precise navigation in GPS-denied underwater environments.

此外，在多國「護衛軍刀」聯合演習期間，英軍更成功驗證由澳洲遠距操控、在英國本土運作的「神劍號」，不僅展現跨洲操控潛力，也顯示其多項性能表現超出原始設計目標。
During multinational Exercise Guardian Sabre, the Royal Navy successfully demonstrated remote control of XV Excalibur from Australia while the vehicle operated in UK waters, highlighting both intercontinental control capability and performance exceeding initial design expectations.

評析：英國水下無人化戰力邁入實用驗證階段

Assessment: UK Undersea Uncrewed Warfare Enters Practical Validation Phase

隨著「神劍號」正式進入測試序列，英國已成為少數具備實際操作超大型無人潛航載具能力的國家之一。其後續測試成果，將直接影響未來水下MUM-T作戰架構，以及英軍在北大西洋與關鍵海域的水下態勢掌控能力。
With XV Excalibur now entering formal trials, the UK joins a small group of nations capable of operating extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles. The outcomes of these tests will directly shape future undersea MUM-T concepts and the Royal Navy’s ability to maintain situational awareness in the North Atlantic and other strategic waters.

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